Locking coupling



March 26, 1940. R, DURANT v 2,194,973

LOCKING COUPLING Filed Feb. "r, 1939 Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES testeur OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention for an object the provision of an improved coupling device which may be put A to manyvandvaried uses inA mechanical, electriusA cal, and other fields and will prove superior to coupling devicessuch as heretofore used in that it may be assembled and disassembled with greater ease and fac-i1ity,'will automatically lock in coupling position, does not necessitate the use yof set screws, pins'or otherfastening devices or small Lparts-which may becomebroken or lost, and will effectivelyl exclude entrance of Water and prevent leakage.

An important provision of this invention is that of makinga universal. coupling device of -but four telescopically tted annular parts which are constructed and arranged so that thei7 may be quickly assembled and disassembled andwill automatically .lock incoupled -position, but .may be lreadily unlocked when unscrewing the coupling elements and upon axiallyadjusting certain of the parts, all of said parts being Asubject `to ready removal one from the other for purposes of inspection. v

.Anotherobiect of vthisfinvention is to provide 'a coupling of' thel .characterI described which, when one of the 'threaded coupling rings or sleeves thereof, Vis screwed upon the par-t or ele mentr to which it is to be coupled, will automatically lockthe coupling `against accidental `or unintentional uncoupling or disassembly, said coupling element also-bringing about the unlocking andpermitting of :the disassembly of the structure When unscrewed from the part to which it is coupled. l

A further object .is to provide ya coupling `of the characterdescribed which may bey assembled in small and conned spacesand is ideallysuited to `such uses in that' it will automatically lock in coupled position and does not require the insertion or the setting of set screws or the placement of fastening devices after being coupled.

[I have showna preferred embodiment of rny improvements in the accompanyingl drawing, subject to modification, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing fro-1n the spirit of my invention.

Referenceis nowhad to the drawing. l

Figure 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the coupling of my invention as when used to connect two chambers Vor tanks, the section being taken on the line l-l of Figure 2;

y' Figure 2 isa sectional view taken on the plane of line 2-2 of .Figure 1;

Figure 3 .isa sectional view taken on the plane "Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective of the locking or key-ring; f I

. Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of one of the coupling rings or sleeves;

Figure 6 isa fragmentary perspective view of the other coupling ring or sleeve;

Figure 7` is aI perspective view ofV the Ibarrellike body portion of the coupling device;

Figure 8 isv a sectionalV view lof the .coupling .1,0

hereof when used as a cable connector; and

Figure9 is an enlarged iragm'entary section i taken onthe line 3--3 pf Figure lshowing the key-ring in thealternate locking position.

As shown in Figures l to 'linclusive of the accompanying drawing, one formwof the coupling device of my inventioncomprises a hollow cylindrical open-endedbody l, a key-ring 2 surrounding said body, a lock-up coupling sleeve ori ring .3 telescopically tted over thering'Z and body and having .a threaded end ll and a similar coupling sleeve or ring 5 telescoping said body. and

- having a screwthreaded end 6. The threaded ends d and 6 of the .sleeves and 5 provide for threaded connection of the device with theparts to vbe coupled, which parts as here shown are threaded outlets?! yand 8 of two tanks or other vessels 9 and Ill.

In accordance with this invention, the parts. of thecoupling device areespecially constructed and arranged. 'so that they .may be easily and quickly'assembled and disassembled and locked in coupling positionand unlocked without the use of special tools, or necessitating'the employment of screws orother fastening elements. vMoreover,thesepar ts are constructed so that they Will exclude the entrance of water into the interior thereof -and also .prevent leaking when used as a .coupling for liquid conduits,` pipes, hose, etc., thefwater-proof and ready take down qualities rendering the coupling adapted to many uses and particularly the connectingy electrical cael bles, conductors, `Contact members and the like, Ivvitlfl one another.-

As here' shown, the ends of the body portion l are adapted `to extend into the outlets 'l and 8 so as to engagegaskets H seatedV against internal .g annular shoulders l2 in said outlets, while'the internally threaded'ends 4 and 6 of the sleeves or` rings 3 and 5 fit over and'threaderdly engage with said outlets, the sleeves being locked to the body by the means 'of this invention as will now be de-v scribed Adjacent onev end, the body I is formed with gagiedv Iby a Aflange f4 von the "ring or sleeve 5 to the body such as would disassemble the couwhen the latter is slipped over the body and moved into the position shown in Figure 1. This axially locks the body to member I0.

Lugs I5, I6 and I 'I are formed on the extension of the body I intermediate its ends and are circumferentially equidistantly spaced. A smaller lug I 8 is provided on said sleeve so as to be disposed to one side and close to the lug I5. These lugs are adapted for cooperation with the keyring 2, which is substantially at, like a band, and is provided with an inwardly extending annular flange I9 provided with notches 20, 2|, and 22 corresponding in spacing to and adapted to receive the lugs I5, I6 and I'I. The notch 2U is larger than the other notches and is adapted to have both lugs I5 and I8 passed therethrough. The lock-up sleeve 3 is provided with an inwardly extending annular iiange 23 having notches 24 corresponding in size and location to the notches in the ring 3 and in this connection it is seen that the iiange I4 is provided with notches 25 corresponding to those in the rings 2 and 3. These notches in the anges I4 and 23 permit of the axial movement of the members 3 and 5 past the lugs on the body member in assembling and disassembling the coupling. The ange 23 on the lock-up ring 3 is adapted to engage the outer face of the ange I9 of the key-ring 2 whereby to lock the ring 3 on the body I, the key-ring having iirst been moved axially into position such that it is locked on the body I.

In assembling the coupling preparatory for use, the ring or sleeve 5 is slipped over the body I and moved axially thereof to position such that the ange I4 thereof will abut the flange I3 on said body, as shown in Figure l, the notches 25 in the ange I4 permitting the ring 5 to be moved past the lugs I5, I6, II, and I8 on the body.

Next, the key-ring 2 is positioned, anged end iirst, within the ring or sleeve 3 and when the flanges I9 and 23 are engaged, said key-ring is manually adjusted to bring the larger notch 20 thereof into registration with the corresponding notch in the flange 23 and the smaller notches'2l and 22 in registry with the corresponding smaller notches of the ange 23. With the rings 2 and 3 thus arranged, said rings are slipped over the body I so that the two lugs I5 and I8 will pass through the larger notches and the lugs I6 and Il will pass through the other notches. The purpose is to dispose the flange I9 of the key-ring 2 behind the lugs I5, I6, and I'I and the flange 23 of the sleeve 3 behind the ange I9 whereby to prevent axial movement of said rings relative pling.

Upon now turning the lock-up ring or sleeve 3 as though to screw the same upon a fitting such as the one I here shown, the ring 2 will be turned due to frictional contact with the sleeve 3 and the notches 20, 2 I, and 22 of the ring 2 will be disposed to one side of the lugs I5, I6. and

Il, a revolution as aforesaid and shifted slightly axially of the body, the small lug I8 which is rearward of the adjacent lug I5, will slip into the small notch 2|. This small lug in striking the ends of the small notch 2| will prevent the ring 2 from turning in either direction such as would permit the notches therein to come into i .alinement with the lugs I5, I6, and II.

Thus the key-ring is locked against turning and axial movement on the body I and when the lockup sleeve or ring 3 is screwed in place the ange When the ring 2 is turned through part of 23 thereof in engaging the flange I9 on the ring 2 will hold the ring 2 firmly against the lugs and against axial movement as would be necessary to move the small lug I8 out of the notch 2|. It is seen that the ring 5 may be screwed onto the member 8 without turning the body and so as to tightly clamp the coupling in place. These rings 3 and 5 bring the coupled parts 9 and IU together so that the gaskets' are tensioned and a leak proof joint is insured.

To disassemble the coupling, the lock-up ring 3 is unscrewed so as to space the ange 23 thereof from the lock-up ring 2 and upon moving the lock-up ring axially as permitted by this spacing, the small notch 2l` is moved clear of the small lug I 2 wherein the ring 2 is free to be turned into position such that the notches therein will register with said lugs and permit removal of the rings 2 and 3 from the body I.

In instances where the close spacing of the parts 3 and 5 or other parts will not permit of the axial adjustment of the ring 2 as necessary to engage and lock the small lug I8 in 'one of the small notches 2l and 22, said ring 2 will automatically be held against turning when the small lug I8 encounters the end of the large notch 20, in response to the turning of ring 3 in a screwing-on direction. This is brought about by the.

fact that the lugs I 5, I6 and I1 are axially spaced from lug I8, such that when the ring 2 is turned in one direction suiiiciently to move the notches therein to one side of the lugs I5, I6, and I'I, the small lug I8 will still be positioned in the large notch 28, so as to contact one end of said notch whereby to prevent rotation of ring 2 while the screwing-on rotation of ringy 3 is continued as necessary. When thus locked, the coupling. may be unlocked uponl unscrewing the ring `3 and thereby rotating the ring 2 to a position such that the notches 20, 2 I, and 22 come' opposite the lugs I5 and I8, I6, and I'I, respectively.` ,V It is now seen that the coupling hereof is operable to automatically lock the parts thereof in coupled relation, either by rotating and axially shifting the ring 2 until the notch 2I lor the notch 22 receives the small lug I8 therein or by merely rotating the ring, without axial shift thereof, sufciently tov move the notches 20, 2I,

and 22 to one side of the lugs I5, I6, II while the` lug I8 remains in the notch 20 so as to prevent turning of the ring 2 in one direction.

It willnow be apparent that the coupling hereof may be readily andreasily assembled and disassembled and in view of the manner in which the parts may be iitted one upon the other and lockingly retained in place, no screws, pins, or other fastening elements arev necessary to maintain the coupling effectively locked. Moreover,` no special tools are required'to ture.

As shown in Figure 8,. the coupling hereof is employed as a cable connector. In this form of the invention, the body portion 26 is in the form of an elongated barrel having an insulation core adapted to conta-in elements 2l of a cable connector, this member 25 being secured to the end tting 2B of a cable 291 by means of Vthe lock-up ring 3i? which corresponds to the lockup ring The body 26 is provided with lugs 3! which are identica-l with those in the first described form of the invention and is also' provided with a kcyring 32 identical with the one The other couatl unlock the strucpling ring 33 which corresponds to the one 5 in the rst described form of the invention is adage"- is xed Aas at '35 to a support rSSL This lsocket member is adapted to contain .the corresponding unit `3Tof the cable connector so that when th'e body 2S is inserted into the socket 34 the ele-v ments 27 and 3? Will engage withv one another and be locked in-such engagement by reason of the key-ring 432 and its associated elements.Y The coupling in this form is videntical-as to construction with the one shcwnin Figure l except asto that it is Waterproof and does not require the use oi' set screws, pins, or other fastening devices and contains no minute parts which may become broken or lost.

What I claim as new is: l. A locking coupling device including a member provided with peripheral abutments, a flanged coupling ring surrounding said body and having the flange thereof' engaged with one of the abutments on the body, said ring being screw- `,th1eaded and adapted for threaded connection with a part to be coupled, a key-ring rotatably mounted upon said body and having a flange pro',- vided with notches for reception of abutments on said body, said notches being arranged so that f when the flange of said key-ring is engaged behind certain of said abutments, the key-ring will be held against axial movement on said body in one direction, andanother of said abutments will engage in one of the notches whereby to prevent rotation of said ring relative to said body, and another screw`threaded coupling ring rotatably mounted upon the body and surrounding said key-ring and having a flange adapted to engage behind said key-ring.

2. A locking coupling device including a body member provided with peripheral abutments, a hanged coupling ring surrounding said body and having the flange thereof engaged with one of the abutments on the body, said ring being screwthreaded and adapted for threaded connection vvith a part to be coupled, a hey-ring* rotatably mounted upon said body and having a flange provided With notches for reception oi abutments will engage in one of the notches whereby to prevent rotation of said ring relative to said body, and another screw-threaded coupling ringy rotatably mounted upon the body and surround ing said key-ring and having a ange adapted to engage behind said key-ring, said flanges of said coupling rings beingv provided with notches corresponding to the notches in thoange of said key-ring and `which permit of the axial mover-l 'ment of said coupling rings past certain of said abutments upon the mounting and the removal of said rings. v

3. A self-locking coupling device comprising a body portion, a` coupling ring surrounding said body portion and being rotatablyand axially movable relative thereto and provided With`screwthreads whereby it may be coupled to a threaded member, a key-ring rotatably and axially movbody l With, a ange on said coupling ring adapted to engage said key-ring to prevent relative axial v movement of said b'ody and coupling ring in one direction, and means embodied in the construction 'of saidhlrey-ring and body portion for auto`-"' VVmatically ylocking'said key-ring against rotation and alsoagainst axial movement in one direction' when said coupling ring isrotated la prcdeter-z mined extent in a direction for screwing the" same on said threaded member, whereby to lock said" coupling ring and body portion together, said lastnamed mea-ris` 'automatically releasing said keyringior rotation and axial `movement when said kcoupling ringis rotated vfor unscrewing same.

4. A self-locking coupling device. comprising a body having peripheral abutments. spaced apart both circumferentially and axially thereof, a keyring rotatable and axially movable onjsaid body andv having notches spaced circumferentially in accordance With'the circumferential spacing of said abutments and adapted to havesaid abutments pass therethrough upon axial movement being arranged to engage certain of' said abutments to prevent axial movement of-.said 'ring of said ringrelative to said body, said key-ring in one direction on said body when the ring is V- i rotated to move the notches therein out of alinement Withsaid certain'abutments, one `oi said notches being arranged to receive one of they .plingsleeve rotatable on said body and encompassing said -ring and having means providing for connection thereof with a part to be coupled.v thereto, -and a flange on said coupling sleeve' adapted to 'engage said ring to `prevent axial removal of said sleeve from'said body.

5. A self-locking coupling device comprising aI body having peripheral abutments spaced apart ycircumferentially thereof, a key-ring rotatable and axially movable on said body and lhaving abutment receiving notches spaced circumferen'- l tially accordance with the circumferential spacing of said abutments, means on said ring being arrang'edto engage abutments on thebody to prevent axial movement of said ring in one direction when the ring is rotated to move notches therein out of alinement with abutments on the.;v

body, one of said notchesfbeing arranged to receive one ofthe abutments to prevent rotation of said ring when the latter has lbeen rotated and disposed in said abuttingr relation to other abut- `ments on the body, and a coupling sleevelrotatable on saidbody and encompassing said ring and having means providing for connection thereof with a part to be coupled thereto, and a flange on said coupling sleeve adapted to engage said body and having notches spaced circumferentially. inaccordance `with the circumferential spacing of said abutments and adapted to have said abutments pass therethrough upon vaxial f movement of said ring relative to said body, said flkey-ringbeing arranged to engage certain of said abutments `to prevent axial Lmovement of said ring in one direction Aon said body when viding for connection thereof with a part to be` coupled thereto, a ila-nge on said coupling sleeve adapted to engage said ring to prevent axial removal of said sleeve from said body, said flange of said sleeve having notches therein corresponding to those in said ring.

'7. A self-locking coupling device including a body member, a coupling sleeve rotatably surrounding and being removable from said body,

means embodied in said sleeve for effecting a coupling and uncoupling thereof with respect to another member upon rotative movement of the sleeve in opposite directions, a key-ring sur rounding and being removable from said body member, said ring being positioned between said sleeve and said body and adapted to engage said sleeve to prevent removal thereof from said body, and means embodied in the construction of said ring and said body and operating responsive to the coupling and uncoupling movements of said sleeve to respectively lock the ring against removal from said body and release the ring whereby both the ring and the sleeve may be removed from the body.

RAYMOND C. DURANT. 

